ACOM Takes 19th Annual Conference International

Toronto, Canada to play host to ACOM's 2007 Meeting; Its first outside the U.S.

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. October 14, 2008

PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ, October 2, 2006. The Association for Convention Operations Management (ACOM) announced today that it will hold its first ever international conference, January 5-7, 2007, in Toronto, Canada at The Westin Harbour Castle. ACOM will target a host of educational and networking opportunities for attendees from every facet of the industry.

The conference will open with a speech from keynote speaker Terry Evanshen, a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Focusing on the relentless power of the human mind to overcome obstacles, Evanshen will present "The Man Who Lost Himself: Seize Each Day and Reach for the Top," a presentation, discussing the comeback he achieved while recovering from a horrific car accident that left him in a coma for a month and erased his memory.

The conference will provide a variety of presentations and workshops geared to convention service managers in hotels, CVBs, and convention centers. Topics range from Pre-Cons, welcome programs, food and beverage, housing, relationships with operations, to labor union relations and themed events. ACOM will also host two Shirtsleeves sessions and a Roundtable luncheon offered to attendees and their peers. On Saturday, ACOM will hold its annual Awards Luncheon. The awards to be presented this year are Executive Excellence, Meeting Professional of the Year, Member of the Year, the President's Award, and Convention Services Managers of the Year for Hotel Convention Center and CVB.

"This is an exciting time for ACOM," said Larry Wilson President. "We are holding our first international conference with great speakers and panel discussions; it should be a great event. Sandra Daudlin and her conference committee have done a tremendous job of putting this program together."

Attendees have the option of choosing from a variety of optional excursions such as a trip to Niagara Falls, a Tour of Toronto, and a tour of the Metro Toronto Convention Center, to name a few. A Dine-Around dinner will provide members with three options to enjoy the ethnic diversity of Toronto. Attendees will later gather at Second City, the famous improv and sketch comedy club that produced generations of North America's hottest comedic talent, for a night of laughter and entertainment.

"Toronto is an amazing city, full of rich culture and amazing sights. The off-site venues we have chosen really capture the essence of the city. We believe Toronto will be an exciting backdrop for one of ACOM's most comprehensive educational offerings ever," said Wilson. The conference concludes with a Comedy Pub event, sponsored by Tourism Toronto, where CSMs and invited meeting planners will enjoy a performance by award-winning comedian Simon Cotter.

Conference sponsors include Tourism Toronto, Freeman, Orchid Event Solutions, Starwood Hotels and the Westin Harbour Castle. For more information about ACOM and the upcoming conference, contact Lynn McCullough at (609) 799-3712 or e-mail [email protected] Conference registration is online and details will be continually updated, on the ACOM website, www.acomonline.org

About ACOM

The Association for Convention Operations Management (ACOM) was founded and incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1988 by William H. Just, CAE, CMP and is dedicated to advancing the practice of convention services management in the meetings industry, and to preparing Convention Service Management professionals for their critical role in the growth and success of their organizations. ACOM members hold many positions in convention and visitor bureaus, convention centers, conference centers, hotels and resorts including: convention service managers, housing managers, operations managers, event service coordinators, directors of convention/trade shows, catering managers and directors, facility managers, attraction/entertainment facilities, audio visual companies and decorator management companies.